The ultimate goal behind helmet laws in Atlanta, Georgia, is to help prevent catastrophic injuries in the event of a motorcycle accident. Despite that, however, severe crashes can still leave riders battling wounds that could impact every aspect of their lives.
If a collision you were in occurred because of another party’s negligence, the last thing you should worry about is the legalities involved with taking the appropriate action. As such, it’s essential to hire an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer to assist you.
Don’t hesitate to call Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC at (404) 869-8600 for your free initial consultation. Our attorneys can help make the personal injury claim process more straightforward. Below, you’ll learn more about the city’s helmet requirements and how they can impact the claims process following a motorcycle wreck.
How Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident in Atlanta, GA
A motorcycle accident often results in serious injuries to the biker involved. After all, motorcycles lack the same level of protection as cars or trucks, so even if you’re wearing all of the necessary safety gear, you can still suffer everything from road rash to brain injuries.
At Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, our team of motorcycle accident attorneys can assist you as you fight for fair compensation, providing services that include the following:
- A case assessment during a free consultation
- A thorough investigation into your motorcycle crash
- Evidence collection, including expert witness testimonies
- Establishment of liability
- Calculation of your economic and non-economic damages
- Communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Litigation, if necessary
With over 85 years of combined legal experience, we have been helping the people of Atlanta, GA, for decades, winning over $600 million in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. You shouldn’t have to go through a claim on your own while battling injuries, so do not hesitate to contact our Atlanta personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.
Helmet Laws in Atlanta
Georgia is one of only a few states in the country to have mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists. No matter your age or experience level, and regardless of whether you’re a rider or passenger, a helmet is always a requirement. Your helmet must comply with certain requirements set forth by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as well.
For one, it must have a chin strap and an attachment system that is strong enough to ensure it stays in place if you’re in an accident. Additionally, it must also display penetration resistance and the ability to absorb impact energy; without these, you can end up sustaining life-threatening brain injuries.
Lastly, if your bike doesn’t have a windshield, you must also wear approved eye protection to prevent debris and even insects from flying into your eyes and potentially causing a crash.
What Happens If You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet?
If you get into a motorcycle accident and you weren’t wearing a helmet, you may worry about what that means for your claim. Georgia has fault-based laws that require proving that the other person was responsible for the crash.
However, the state also operates under modified comparative negligence laws, which still allow you to receive compensation if you were partly (below 50%) responsible for the accident.
In these instances, you can expect the other party’s insurance to try to pin as much of the blame on you as possible to prevent you from recovering anything. By hiring our experienced attorneys, you can avoid being barred from filing a claim.
Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Accident in Atlanta
Following injuries in a motorcycle accident, you can receive economic and non-economic damages. The latter category helps you cover medical expenses of all types, along with any future costs you may have for ongoing treatment. It also covers lost wages if you need to miss work to receive care, as well as a loss of earning potential if you can’t return to work at all.
Non-economic damages address the pain and suffering you experienced. In other words, if you can’t live your life as you did prior to the crash, you can seek compensation. In instances when a loved one dies in a collision, you can also receive remuneration for your loss of companionship and support.
Contact Our Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Being in a motorcycle accident can leave you struggling with all manner of injuries and other losses. Filing a claim is tough, and it can become much more difficult if you weren’t wearing a helmet when the crash occurred.
Don’t put your claim at risk by attempting to begin the process on your own. At Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, our Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys can guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free case assessment.
